Pedestrian who wandered into 405 lanes is struck and killed

The man walked from the shoulder of the freeway into the path of a car. A seven-car pileup followed.
By Ari B. Bloomekatz
11:54 AM PST, November 2, 2008
A pedestrian was struck and killed early today in West Los Angeles when he wandered onto the 405 Freeway, leading to a seven-car pileup and traffic tie-ups.

The man was walking southbound on the right-hand shoulder of the freeway near Olympic Boulevard when, for unknown reasons, he walked into the path of a 2007 Nissan Altima at about 12:45 a.m.

The driver "was unable to take evasive action," according to the California Highway Patrol.

The man hit the hood and windshield of the car before striking the ground, where he "sustained major head trauma," the CHP said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 22-year-old female driver of the Altima was traveling 50 to 65 miles per hour and was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, authorities said.

CHP Officer Anthony Martin said the pedestrian also caused "seven or eight cars" to crash and that four lanes of the freeway in the immediate area were blocked for about two hours. None of the motorists sustained serious injuries.

Bloomekatz is a Times staff writer.

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com






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